Naturalistic research

Recent articles

Home makeover helps rats better express themselves: Q&A with Raven Hickson and Peter Kind

The “Habitat”—a complex environment with space for large social groups—expands the behavioral repertoire of rodent models, Hickson and Kind say.

By Holly Barker
4 December 2025 | 0 min watch
Archery target.

What should the field prioritize over the next 10 years?

Respondents pointed to a range of challenges in basic neuroscience—such as understanding naturalistic behaviors, intelligence and embodied cognition—and called for more circuit-level research, more precise brain recordings and more work in alternative models. Just as many pushed for a translational pivot.

By The Transmitter
15 November 2025 | 11 min read

Hitting city streets to record rat behaviors: Q&A with Emily Mackevicius, Ralph Peterson

Capturing the rodents’ vocalizations and movements in the wild offers an opportunity to study naturalistic behaviors in a complex urban environment, Mackevicius and Peterson say.

By Marta Hill
19 August 2025 | 0 min watch

Explore more from The Transmitter

MRI images of malformations of cortical development.

Additional data suggest changes in diagnostics underlie increases in autism diagnoses, and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 September.

By Jill Adams
15 September 2026 | 2 min read
Spencer Kellis photo illustration.

Building brain-computer interfaces at a neurotech company

At Blackrock Neurotech, Spencer Kellis develops implantable devices that help people with brain and spinal cord conditions communicate, move and more.

By Katie Moisse
15 September 2026 | 8 min read

‘High risk, high reward’: How early-career neuroscientists view their future

The Transmitter and Neuromatch surveyed more than 300 early-career neuroscientists to better understand their unique challenges, career aspirations and support needs.

By Paige Miranda
15 September 2026 | 0 min watch